 In his book, Ribó applies this theory to support the view that a sustainable world system can only be achieved by developing political communities of smaller size than the large states of the modern era.According to this analysis, existing small nations like Denmark, Ireland or the Netherlands, but also emerging small nations, like Scotland, Catalonia or Bayern, are better prepared to establish democratic, prosperous and sustainable polities, particularly when they are able to form effective confederations at a continental level.In Michael Menser's opinion, "Ribó’s combination of classic figures, moral argument, and contemporary politics is a welcome and timely contribution to ecological and political theory".